Product Description

Hassan feels out of place in a new cold, grey country. At school, he paints a picture showing his colourful Somalian home, covered with the harsh colours of war from which his family has fled. He tells his teacher about their voyage from Mogadishu to Mombasa, then to the refugee camp and on to England. But gradually things change. When Hassan's parents put up his next picture on the wall, Hassan notices the maroon prayer mat, a bright green cushion and his sister Naima's pink dress - the new colours of home.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30532 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Review
This is a warm, ultimately hopeful story about the world of a refugee child, and the compassion and understanding shown to him by his teachers and schoolmates. --The Ultimate First Book Guide

This book was published three years ago in 2002, but it is quite simply a masterpiece of the picture-book form and cannot be recommended too often or too highly. Mary Hoffman s beautiful and sensitively told story concerns Hassan from Somalia, whose very real tale is trapped inside him with no way to be let out. The manner in which a picture has to be done in class and the revelations it causes is heartrending. Be warned, experience the book alone first before sharing it with youngsters. Many teachers and librarians have found themselves reduced to tears when first meeting the words and pictures here. --Boys into Books 5-11 Riveting Reads

A thoughtful text and pictures which show the contrasts in his life vividly trace Hassan s journey towards integration as he gradually leaves behind the violence he has escaped from and begins to embrace his new world. --Book Ahead 0-7

School Librarian, Winter 2002
'I can think of no better way for teachers to raise the asylum issue with younger children than by sharing and discussing this book.'

About the Author
Mary Hoffman has written around 90 books for children. Amazing Grace, commended for the Kate Greenaway medal, has sold over 1.5 million copies. Its sequel, Grace & Family was among Junior Education's Best Books of 1995 and shortlisted for the Sheffield Libraries Book Award 1996. Karin Littlewood studied Graphic Design at Newcastle University, followed by an MA in illustration at Manchester University. She has worked in editorial, packaging, design and advertising, as well as publishing. Swallow Journey was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2001.

Customer Reviews

cultural awareness and circumstance
This is a book about a young boy,Hassan. He has come from Somalia as a refugee. Hassan paints a picture at his new school to communicate his feelings and the lovely colours of home are smudged with the reds and oranges of war. This story then continues to tell of life through Hassan's eyes and gives an appreciation of the difficulty of his circumstances and explains how the family have come to England. My 10 year old loved this book and really apprecaited the content and my 7 year old read the story with tears. It ends on a positve note with colour and hope for Hassan and his family.

Everyone should read this book
Asylum seekers are so often demonised for political purposes. "Not in my backyard! We can't afford them here! No room!" are all too common cries.

It's easy to forget how much these people, and especially the children, have been through. This book tells in simple language the story of Hassan, who has witnessed things no child should ever see. The clever use of colour, bright and happy for his home, red and black for anger and war, grey and cold for his sadness and loss explains Hassan's moods and feelings where words would fail us. Towards the end of the story, colour and hope begins to return to Hassan's life.

An excellent resource which explains simply what it is like to be a refugee.

The Colour of Home
Used this book with my Year 3 class - they liked the story and loved the colourful illustrations. Highly recommended.